Army sieges civilians during cleaning day
Saturday 2nd April, referred to as ‘general cleaning day’ witnessed the display of stylized ruthless conduct of military personnel against vulnerable civilians. (Photo: ‘ general cleaning day,’ Freetown)
Persons were made to compellingly clean smelly gutters and streets by soldiers detailed at respective streets of Freetown in the enhancement of the proclaimed ‘national cleaning exercise.’
Commercial vehicles and Okadas were made to stop by assigned military personnel, who unnaturally compelled passengers on board to disembark and remove trash from soiled gutters and streets in the capital of Freetown.
It is a fact that government in its pursuit to celebrate Sierra Leone’s 50th independence, wants to see a sanitized environment.
Consequent to government’s intentions, it is reported that it has joined hands with other institutions to sweep up, brush off and clean Sierra Leone.
The streets of Freetown were overcrowded with military personnel this past Saturday in the forced implementation of the general cleaning exercise.
At Circular Road on Model Junction, a group of military personnel in uniform were found having rods each, chasing vehicles and motor cycles (Okadas) whom they say have passengers that flouted the government announced general cleaning exercise.
Pedestrians, some of whom were on their work, fell into the cruel hands of soldiers and were ordered to forcefully clean streets.
Disheartening though is the fact that Sierra Leoneans have been paying billions in tax money to the City Council in the augmentation of the cleaning and beautification of the City of Freetown.
The civil society, stakeholders and concerned citizens have all in one voice compelled management of the City Council to transparently tell how tax payers’ monies have been used. Rumors have it that Council officials collect billions on tax, but unscrupulously siphon the money into pockets of individuals.
Eyewitnesses stated that the soldiers were behaving just as those in the days of the NPRC junta regime.
At Fort Street, civilians were chased and made to submissively clean rubbish in gutters and main highways. The same was observed along Pademba Road.
Between 7am to 12 pm, the streets of Freetown were empty with the exception of those soldiers detailed to arrest and restrain civilians disobeying the nationally proclaimed cleaning exercise.
Public’s contemplations questions government’s replication of dictatorial conduct of a junta government (NPRC) in the uncalled for imposition of a national cleaning exercise, much to the chagrin of City Council which claimed it is spending three hundred million every month to clean Freetown.
By Foday Marrah
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